Sonic Corp. has updated its animal welfare policy to include provisions that affect its egg and pork supply chain. As part of the policy, Sonic is asking its suppliers to focus on training and auditing in order to have a successful animal welfare program.
"The humane treatment of livestock results in a better quality product for our guests," the policy states. "We fully expect and require all of our suppliers to utilize the highest industry standards when dealing with livestock. We encourage programs and actions that facilitate continuous improvement over the long-term. Sonic believes that programs developed on an understanding of the issues, using science-based policies and standards, are typically more successful and sustainable in the long-term.
The company has developed priorities in three areas:
- Laying hens – Sonic requires its egg suppliers to meet United Egg Producer (UEP) standards for housing and other poultry practices. Beginning in 2010, Sonic will begin phasing in the sourcing of cage-free eggs and source at least 1 percent cage-free eggs. It will increase 1 percent annually to achieve 5 percent cage-free eggs in 2015.
- Controlled-atmosphere stunning - Sonic is challenging its poultry suppliers, all of which are U.S. farms, to convert to an animal welfare-friendly controlled atmosphere killing system (CAS), technology currently unavailable in the United States.
- Sow housing – Sonic supports the pork industry's moving away from the practice of confining sows in gestation crates to housing them in group pens. At least 8 percent of Sonic's pork products come from suppliers who no longer confine breeding hogs in gestation crates. The company's five-year target is to double that percentage, increasing an average of 1.5 percent annually and continue to increase that usage over time.
Other quick-service chains that have implemented policies to source or phase-in sourcing of cage-free eggs include Burger King, Carl's Jr., Hardee's and Wendy's. McDonald's announced last spring that it was studying housing alternatives for laying hens.
The Humane Society of the United States has praised Sonic's new policy for its improvements in animal welfare in its supply chain. Last week, the HSUS announced that it was purchasing stock in QSR Jack in the Box and casual-dining hybrid Steak 'N Shake in order to influence their animal welfare policies.
Nation's Restaurant News reported that Sonic has been working primarily with PETA for the past 18 to 24 months to develop the new policy. According to the story, HSUS owns stock in Sonic as well as McDonald's Corp., Tim Hortons Inc. and Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc.
